How to choose outdoor shoes

29.02.2024

7 min. read

Juraj Haruštiak

Improper outdoor shoes can ruin every hiking trip. When choosing, check the terrain, weather, length and difficulty of the trail. Do you know when to pick low-cut shoes and mid- and high-cut boots? And what to keep in mind, so the hiking does not turn into a hell march? Keep reading.

Choose according to terrain

Which type of shoes is the most appropriate

The size matters

How to take care of the shoes

Choose according to terrain

Which type of shoes is the most appropriate

The size matters

How to take care of the shoes

Universal shoes for every type of hike just do not exist. You have to consider a different terrain for alpine hiking than for a stroll in the woods just outside of the city. Before every hike you have to contemplate the terrain and conditions and make the basic choice accordingly.

Mostly flat terrain

Illustration of flat terrain for hiking.

Typical terrain: city parks, forest trails, country roads, meadows, gravel, river/lake shores

Shoe properties: good flexibility, free ankle movement, low weight, breathability

Men's low-cut dark hiking shoe, model Mammut Kento Low GTX.

Low-cut shoes

Mostly hilly terrain

Illustration of hilly terrain for hiking.

Typical terrain: unpaved forest trails, protruding rocks, tree roots, mud, holes, stairs, low-to-medium ascent and descent

Shoe properties: firm, stabile with ample ankle protection

Women's mid-cut brown hiking shoe, model Mammut Ducan Mid GTX.

Mid-cut hiking boots

Mountain terrain

Typical terrain: medium-to-high mountains, unpaved forest trails, sharp rocks, boulders, gullies, difficult ascent and descent, river crossings

Shoe properties: very firm and stable, rubber tip protection, reinforced ankle and bridge protection, thicker sole

High-cut blue hiking boot, model Mammut Kento Guide High GTX, designed for difficult alpine hiking.

High-cut hiking boots

Outdoor shoes according to activity

For a proper choosing, we have to focus on specifics of the outdoor activity. Shoe design reflects the distinctive conditions and terrain for each acitivty, therefore there are different types of shoes. In some cases, the distinctions are clearly visible, others are hidden in details like cut, sole and materials used.

Hiking shoes

They are suitable for easy hiking trails and paved forest paths. Beside hiking, they might be used as a casual everyday footwear. More common is a lower version of the boot. If you expect handful of steeper ascents and descents, you should take into consideration a proper protection against sprained ankle and prefer higher model of hiking shoes. More experienced hikers are able to negotiate even more difficult terrain with lower shoes.

Men's low-cut dark-grey hiking shoe, model Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX.

Low hiking shoes for easy hikes. They are also suitable as an everyday footwear.

+ low weight
+ breathability
+ suitable for everyday wear

- lower protection against injury
- lower durability

Men's hiking shoes

Women's hiking shoes

Trekking shoes

Compared to common hiking shoe, trekking one is more robust and has more compact sole. It offers ample foot protection from protruding rocks on a hiking trail. Trekking shoe is made of more durable materials, due to which it will manage well with medium-level rocky terrain and unpaved forest trails. This type of shoe is regarderd as one of the most verstaile among outdoor shoes. Lower cut models are for more experienced hikers. Less experienced hikers should focus on ankle protection and opt for mid- or high-cut trekking shoes.

High-cut trekking dark shoe, model Scarpa Marmolada Pro HD.

Trekking shoes are more robust and durable. They are among the most versatile outdoor shoes.

+ higher protection against injury
+ high durability

- heavy weight
- lower breathability

Men's trekking shoes

Women's trekking shoes

Approach shoes

Shoes with an extremely firm sole and tip are designed specifically for via ferratas and access to climbing rocks. However, it is not meant for climbing itself, but for overcoming rough terrain when getting to or back from a climbing rock itself. Approach shoes must tightly hold the foot, so they have a tight cut and special lacing extended almost to the toe of the shoe. They have distinct reinforced tip called the "climbing zone". They are very light and can handle more rough terrain, so they are often used as an alternative to traditional hiking shoes.

Men's low-cut yellow-grey approach shoe, model Garmont Dragontail MNT GTX.

Approach shoes have reinforced tip and are very flexible. They are used on via ferratas or for getting to climbing rocks.

+ better tip protection
+ lower weight
+ alternative to standard outdoor shoe

- special tight cut

Men's approach shoes

Women's approach shoes

Backpacking boots

These boots are made for multi-day hiking trips in a rough and rocky terrain. They are very firm, durable and offer ample injury protection. Usually, they come in a high-cut version which helps to firmly stabilize entire foot so it is able to endure multi-day difficult hike thorugh mountain ridges. Heavier weight and relatively low breathability are the disadvantages of these boots, therefore they are not suitable for casual wear.

Men's high-cut dark grey and orange backpacking shoe, model Scarpa Ribelle HD, ideal for difficult hikes with heavy backpack.

Backpacking boots are firm and stable, they are suitable for multi-day hikes in rocky terrain.

+ multi-day hikes in rocky environment
+ high protection against injuries
+ high durability

- heavy weight
- lower breathability
- not suitable for everyday wear

Men's backpacking boots

Women's backpacking boots

Mountaineering boots

Extremely durable boots designed for expedition alpine hiking. They have a very firm sole and the lacing reaches almost to the toe, which allows a relatively high flexibility of the foot. They are similar to approach shoes with its function, however, the foot is much more protected from injuries. Their design and materials used clearly suggest that the decisive criterion in the selection will be a great functionality in extremely difficult terrain. Textile is a prevalent material, which is lighter and more resistant to abrasion, compared to leather.

Men's high-cut grey-blue-green mountaineering boot Garmont Mountain Guide Pro GTX, suitable for alpine expedition hiking.

Mountaineering boots are extremely durable with a firm sole. They offer flexibility which makes them the right choice for alpine expeditions.

+ high durability
+ high functionality
+ high protection against injuries
+ relatively low weight

- low breathability
- not suitable for everyday wear

Men's mountaineering boots

Women's mountaineering boots

Trail-running shoes

These low-cut shoes are made for trail running on rough forest and rocky paths, but also on a soft terrain of a city park. They are usually made of textile materials which drain the sweat well. Compared to common running shoes, trail-running footwear offer a higher protection for the foot and the sole has a better grip that sustains stability on a rough and muddy terrain. Breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex membrane is a standard. Due to its lightweight design and technical functions, trail-running shoes are popular alternative to light summer outdoor shoes.

Trail-running shoes drain the sweat well and their soles have a great grip. Gore-Tex membrane offers desired breathability and waterproof protection.

+ high functionality
+ high grip of a sole
+ stability
+ flexibility
+ low weight

- not suitable for rough terrain

Men's trail-running shoes

Women's trail-running shoes

How to try on outdoor footwear

Outdoor shoes must perfectly fit the feet. Neither they pinch nor get of the feet on their own. You can try out the shoes bought online at home as well. If you find them not fitting well after a short walk around your place, you can return them. It is recommended to try the shoes with the socks that you usually wear on hikes. Ideal time for trying on is afternoon or evening. Feet usually gets swollen a bit after all-day activity so it gets bigger in volume, just like during a longer hike.

Young lady tries on multiple outdoor shoes.

Outdoor footwear should be slightly bigger in size than the casual everyday shoes. It is recommended to try them in the afternoon or evening.

In general, outdoor footwear should be bigger than your casual everyday shoes by a half or a whole size number. Fingers will need some extra space so they do not painfully hit the inner tip of the shoe. The size must also reflect the sock thickness. While ascending, the heel must not take off the shoe on itself. You can check how firmly your heel is fixed even at home – by walking on stairs up and down. Always try on the shoes with tighten laces.

If you do not want your next hike turn into a hell march, allocate enough time for testing of the shoes and wear only well-tested and proven shoes on a hike. You should pick exclusively from high-quality shoes from renowned brands. The outdoor footwear is not meant for just one season but it is an investment for many years to come.

Outdoor footwear maintenance

Properly taking care of the shoes will extend their lifetime, enhance functionality and desired properties. You should think of the maintainance even before the first use.

Shoe impregnation

We recommend to buy an appropriate impregnation spray and cleaning agent together with your shoes. Impregnation needs to be applied before the first hike. Choose carefully the proper impregnation spray according to the material it is made for. Otherwise, the impregnation might not only be completely useless, it can even damage the material that your shoes are made of. For example, if you use improper impregnation on a Gore-Tex membrane, it will easily get plugged and the breathability of the footwear will deteriorate. We recommend to use the impregnation on every type of the material. The waterproof, flexibility and protection against stains will be enhanced. Greater care should be provided to full leather shoes. Without regular nurture in the form of impregnation, the leather would quickly dry out, lost elasticity and crack.

Shoe cleaning

After every hike, the mud and dirt must be cleaned off the shoes. Running water, sponge, cloth or soft brush should do the job. However, you can get a special cleaning foam that you can just spray on the surface of the shoe and let it react for a couple of minutes. Thanks to this innovative technology, you will clean the shoes quickly and effectively no matter the colouring and material compounds. Finally, you will wipe of the foam from the shoes with a cloth or brush and the shoes look like new.

Special foam dissolves mud and dirt quickly and effectively. Let it react for a couple of minutes and than just wipe it off.

Another intriguing solution comes as a special impregnation spray against dirt. It works as a blocking element that creates invisible protective film on the surface of the shoe. Therefore the dirt is unable to catch on the surface and you only need to put the shoe under a running water to clean off all the dirt easily.

Watch how easily you can clean off your shoes impregnated by a special spray against dirt. The blocking element creates an invisible protective filter and all you need is just a running water.

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